Once London’s lockdown is lifted and it’s safe to travel to and *around* the UK capital again, many travellers will be eager to get out and about and discover as much of the city as they can. It’s likely to be warm, colourful springtime, after all – one of the best times of the year to experience London!
And yet, the pandemic won’t be over and we will, all of us, have to remain extremely careful in how we conduct ourselves while in transit; whether that’s in a large, busy metropolis or not. In which case, if you’re lucky enough to visit London in the coming weeks – maybe for leisurely London overnight trips? – what sort of enjoyable activities, involving entirely safe, social-distancing, will you definitely be able to throw yourself into…?
Hyde Park
(Open: likely morning to sunset)
A great expanse of greenery, right in the heart of the capital, Hyde Park can make for a day out all of its own – should the weather be playing ball. It’s ideal for idling away sunny hours spent basking in the beauty of all its gardens, flowers and trees; people-watching; visiting the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Garden and Fountain and checking out its other highlights, chief among which being the magical Peter Pan statue. It’s also where visitors love to go boating on pedaloes on The Serpentine lake; however, for obvious reasons, this may not be possible for much of this year.
A Walk along the South Bank
Although some of its attractions may not be open for much of 2021, the South Bank’s the perfect location for a particularly pleasant spring/ summer walk along the River Thames; passing by the tourist-trap venues that are the London Eye, the South Bank Centre, the National Theatre, the BFI, Oxo Tower and Gabriel Wharf.
Meanwhile, you can glance across the river at St. Paul’s Cathedral, the City of London’s tallest office-blocks and the Tower of London. Indeed, such a good stroll is this stretch of riverside, that you can follow it to London Bridge or even, if you’ve the time, past City Hall to the always impressive and iconic Tower Bridge. Just the thing, then, for one of those romantic London getaway deals.
Borough Market
(Open: likely mid-morning to early-evening)
Actually open now during lockdown (in order to help provide much needed fresh produce to the local community), Borough Market will doubtless transform once lockdown’s lifted, with many of its best loved artisan food and drink stalls reopening and drawing in salivating foodie fans from here, there and everywhere.
And when it does, you can bet your bottom dollar (or, rather, your bottom pound) that it’ll once more become the first and last word in great-tasting fruit, vegetable and gourmet retail food therapy. With all the necessary Montcalm Care Protocol-like Covid-safe precautions in place, of course.
Walking Tours
(Open: likely daytime and evenings)
Should the capital open up and restrictions ease up enough following lockdown, then London’s walking tours may well be one of the earliest of the its many popular activities to return – they may well favour necessary social-distancing and, of course, take place in open air rather than in enclosed spaces.
You’ll find tour guides are always knowledgeable and accessible, while tour topics include everything from historical buildings to street art and movie locations to Jack the Ripper’s murders. Something for everyone, then, whether they’re looking to book into a youth hostel or a stay at Montcalm Marble Arch? Absolutely!
Discover Banksy’s street art
Speaking of London’s street art, its greatest examples have to be those created by the legendary graffiti artist/ political activist that’s Banksy, whose idiosyncratic, often satirical, always edgy work litters walls and surfaces throughout the city. So, open up that London map app and go on your own walking tour, hunting down the likes of ‘Guard Dog and His Master’s Voice’ (in the beer garden of Cargo, Rivington Street), ‘Phone Tap’ (Chrisp Street) and ‘Blur Crazy Beat Art Work’ (Church Street, Stoke Newington).
